Stamp-holder.



PATENTED NOV. 14, 1905.

W. H. KEELER. STAMP HOLDER.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN.16. 1905.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. KEELER, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO W. H. KEELER CO., OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION.

STAMP-HOLDER.

Specication of Letters -Patent.

Patented Nov. 14,1905.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. KEELER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bufl'alo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stamp-Holders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a stamp case, cabinet, or holder which is designed to contain a number of printing-stamps and an inkpad or other suitable inking-surface so arranged that the stamps are supported in a position which permits each stamp to be readily selected, inked, and used and returned to its position in the case.

One object of my invention is to construct the device in such manner that the stamps are held normally out of contact with the inking-surface, but can be readily inked from the same.

Another object of the invention is to construct the device in such manner that the entire set of stamps can be readily lifted from the pad or inking-surface for exposing the latter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a top plan view of a stamp-case provided with my improvements, the lid or cover of the case being open. Fi 2 is a vertical section through the case in ine 2 2, Fig. 1, but showing the cover closed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. 2 in line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar section in line 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of one corner of the case on an enlarged scale, showing a spiral spring underneath the stamprack. Fig. 6 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modified embodiment of the invention. Fig. 7 is a detached perspective view of one of the stamps shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional perspective view illustrating another modification.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several igures.

A represents the body of the case, having the form of an open rectangular box, which is provided, preferably, with a metallic lining a. This body is preferably provided with a hinged lid or cover A but, if desired, it can be used without a cover. The body A of the case is provided above its bottom with any suitable device for supplying ink to the stamps.

The device shown in the drawings for this purpose consists of a pad B, which is preferably secured upon the bottom of the case by cement or other suitable means. Above this ink-supplying device the body A of the case is provided with a rack or open frame C for holding the stamps. This rack is conveniently constructed of end bars c, which are providedl inA their inner faces with upright grooves d, side bars c2, which are provided at their ends with tongues by which they are secured in the outermost grooves c by glue or otherwise, and intermediate partitions c3, which are removably inserted in the grooves. The partitions can be changed from oneI pair of grooves to another, as may be necessary for conforming the space between the partitions to the size of the stamps.

The stamps D, Figs. l to 5, or D', Figs. 6 and 7, are preferably composed of wooden blocks or moldings having at their 'upper ends faces d, upon which the nature of the stamp can be indicated by letters or other characters and having at their lower ends a printing-surface d', preferably made of rubber. These stamps are supported in the rack by any suitable means in such manner that the printing-surfaces of the stamps are normally held above the inking-surface of the ink-supply device or pad and out of contact therewith, but can be pressed down to take ink from the inking-surface when a stamp is required for use.

In the construction represented in Figs. 1 to 5 the stamps D are supported in the rack or frame by a flexible diaphragm or bottom E, which is stretched across the under side of the rack and which is preferably made of a fabric which is pervious to ink. The stamps rest with their printing-surfaces upon this diaphragm or pervious bottom, so that upon pressing a stamp down the stamp will press the diaphragm or pervious bottom upon the inking-surface and take the ink through the diaphragm.

In the construction represented in Figs. 6 and 7 no diaphragm or pervious bottom for supporting the stamps is employed, and the stamps D are provided with projections or shoulders d2, by which they rest upon the artitions c3 or other parts of the rack or ame. These stamps are of such height that their printing-surfaces project sufficiently below the rack to bring the stamp in contact with the inking-surface upon depressing the IOO IOS

5 ing the stamps, the partitions of the rack or frame, if they are removably seated in upright grooves, are supported therein by other suitable meansfor instance, by a strip d3, extending across the lower ends of the grooves.

in an elevated position by springs of any suitable construction, so that the stamps are held' with their printing-surfaces above and out of contact with the inking-surface. In the construction shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 6 the rack is provided for this purpose with springs F, of bow or semi-elliptical form, secured at the middle to the under side of the end bars c of the rack and bearing with their free ends upon the bottom of the case near the four corners thereof. In the construction represented in Fig. 5 the rack is provided at the four corners Awith spiral springs F, which are seated in sockets formed in the under side of the end bars c of the rack.

In this improved stamp-holder the stamps lare normally held with their printing-faces `above the inking-surface and out of contact therewith. This prevents the printing-faces from becoming surcharged or overlo aded with ink, prevents the accumulation of impurities, and keeps the rubber type or other printingsurface in a clear, sharp, and satisfactory condition for printing. When a stamp is required for use, it is readily inked by pressing it down until contact is made with the printing-surface. As the stamp rack or su port is yieldingly held by the springs, it readi yyields to such downward pressure, allows the stamp to be inked, and rises again to its normal position when the stamp is raised.

Access is readily had to the inling surface or pad by lifting the stamp-rack out ofthe case. The rack carries the stamps with it, and so exposes the pad.

If desired, the partition can be arranged upon springs in such a way as to be movable independently of the rack-frame. In this construction, which is represented in Fig. 8, the end bars c of the frame and the ends of the partitions c3 rest upon rubber strips g., which permit each partition to be pressed down with the stamp and cause the partition to rise when the pressure is removed.

I claim as my invention-- vIl. The combination of an inking device, a stamp-supporting frame which is adapted to A hold removable stamps and which is arranged above said inking device, and yielding means 6o for holding said frame away from said inln'ng device While permitting said frame to be de- The stamp rack or frame is yieldingly heldv pressedby a stamp for inking the latter, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a case provided With an inking-surface, a stamp-supporting rack arranged in the case and movable toward and from said surface, and a yielding support for said rack tending to hold the same away from the inking-surface, substantially as set forth. v

3. The combination of an inking device, a stamp-supporting frame which is adapted to hold removable stamps and which is arranged above said inking device, and springs which tend to hold said frame above said inking device, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of a case provided with an inking-surface, a stamp-supporting rack arranged in the case and movable toward land from said surface, and springs interposed between said rack and the bottom of said case, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of an inking device, av stamp-supporting rack movable toward and the rack for supportingthe stamps therein,

substantially as set forth.

7. The combination of a case provided with an inking-surface, and a stamp-supporting rack mcvably arranged in said case and provided with a diaphra In adapted to support stamps in the rack, su stantially as set forth.

8. Ihe combination of a case provided with an inking-surface, and a movable stamp-supporting rack arran ed therein and consisting of a frame provide with upright grooves and partitions loosely arranged in said grooves and ada ted to be lifted out of the same, substantialfy as set forth.

9. The combination of a case provided with an inking-surface, and a stamp-supporting rack movable therein toward and from the inl ing-surface, said rack consisting of a frame provided with upright grooves, partitions loosely arranged in 'said grooves and a diaphragm secured to the frame below the partitions, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 9th day of January, 1905.

WILLIAM II. KEELER.

Witnesses:

EDWARD WILHELM, C. B. HORNBEOK.

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